Blind or shutter



Nov. 1, 1938. E. B. NQTTINGHAM BLIND IOR SHUTTER Filed Feb. 3, 1954 5 Sheets-Sheet l NQV. 1, 1938. E B, NQTTlNGHAM I 2,134,983

BLIND OR SHUTTER Filed Feb. 3, 1934 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 -59 @ff/72,019@ J Nov. 1, 1938.

E. B. NOTTINGHAM BLIND 0R SHUTTER Filed Feb. 1954 Patented Nov. 1', 19,38l

. BLIND .0R

Edward B. Nottingham,

to H. B. Dodge and Company, Chicago,

corporation of Illinois Application February, 3,

21 Claims.

This invention relates to blinds or shutters, and more particularly to a rolling shutter having individual slats mounted upon a flexible cable or band.

This application is acontinuation in part of application Serial No. 672,036, filed` May 20, 1933, as to all mattei' common to both of said applications.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a new and novel flexible rolling shutter or curtain having spaced apart slits or slats strung upon a exible support such as a cable or band, the slats being spaced apart by suitable spacer members to permit air to pass between the slats, but preventing vision through said spaces, the spacer members being constructed and arranged to permit flexibility oi the curtain, but preventing the spacer members from being compressed, and thereby prevent any one from v20 looking between the spaced slats.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved flexible rolling curtain made up of a plurality of spaced slats, the slats being con-v structed so as to have a receiving groove and a projection, the projection adapted to extend a predetermined distance into the groove of an adjacent slat so as to permit air to pass through the slats, but prevent sight through the spaces between the slats.

A further object of the invention is to provide a rolling curtain for use in Pullman cars for assembling berths, the curtain comprising a plurality of superimposed slats, the line of vision between the slats being obstructed by depending 35 portions of adjacent slats.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a flexible coiled curtain made up of a plurality of spaced slats, the slats being formed of metal arranged about filler members of substan- 40 tially the same form and conguration as the slats, there being iiexible incompressible members arranged between the slats to hold them in proper spaced relationship.

Further objects of the invention are the provision ci a roller curtain for use in connection with Pullman car sleeping berths.

A still further object of the invention is the y provision of a Pullman car sleeping berth rolling curtain which is adapted to smoothly and noiselessly operate in vertical grooves; which is provided with means for preventing the individual slats or the curtain from rattling in the grooves; which is provided with protuberances struck from the metal to prevent rattlingof the slats in the grooves, and at the same time permitting PATENT OFFICE villa Park, iu., assigner 111., a.

` 1934, serial No. 709,579

easy free operation of the curtain; which is provided with slotted or slit flexible ends to permit a certain amount of friction ofthe slats in the grooves. and at the same time prevent rattling thereof; which is provided with spacer members formed of compressed coiled springs to permit suicient flexibility of the curtain toallow it'y to properly shift from one position to another, but which prevents the slats from being manually spread apart so that it is Apossible to see between the slats; which is provided with means at the under surfaces of theslats to prevent Vlight from reiiecting through the curtain; which is durable in construction, easy and positive in operation, and which can be readily and economically manufactured.

Numerous other Vobjects and'advantages will be apparent throughout the progress of the following specication:

The accompanying drawings illustrate a selected embodiment of the invention, and the views therein are as follows:

Fig. v1 is a detail longitudinal sectional view taken through a sleeping car and having the invention applied to an upper berth of the car.

Fig. 2 is a, detail elevation partly in section showing the rolling curtain arranged in closed position. l

Fig.Y 3 is a detail plan section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a detail sectional view` on the line 4-4 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a detail vertical sectional view taken throughthe rolling curtain and on the line 5-5 of Fig.`v 6.

Fig. 6 is a detail vertical section on the line 6-5 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a detail vertical sectional viewthrough a part of the curtain. Fig. 8 is a detail sectional view on the line 8-'8 of Fig. 6.` Fig. 9 is a detail plan section showing the end construction of. the slats.

Fig. 10 is a detail perspectiveview of one of the slats.

Fig; 11 is a detail vertical sectional view showing a line ofl vision between slats obstructed so that thelcurtain cannot be seen through.

The particular .rolling curtain herein shown for the purpose of illustration, comprises a flexible shutter or curtain I, comprising a pluralityof spaced slats. 2 which are Istrung upon suitable bands or cables 3.

A bottom' 'bjarfll is providedwith cable supporting Vm'evernb'e'rs 5 to which the cables 3 are secured. The supporting members each have a screw 6 arranged in its lower end for the purpose of adjusting the tautness of the cables 5. 'I'he head of the screw can be reached by inserting a screw driver through the hole 1, Fig. 5. The

upper ends of the cables 3 are locked against the top slat or top bar 8, Fig. 4. A strip of flexible material or fabric 8 is fixed to the top bar 8, and is operatively fastened to a roller element 9 which is provided with a spring Ill,

Fig. 4, to assist in counter-balancing the weight of the curtain. Inasmuoh as the curtain when pushed to an out of the way position makes a sharp turn at the upper edge of the berth, the fabric 8 and the roller 9 may be dispensed with. However, it has been found practicable to include these latter members to assist in the operation of the curtain.

The curtain is adapted to operate in oppositely disposed guides or grooves Il which are vertically positioned with respect to the berth. The curtain may be used as a partial closure for the berth in connectio'n with a panel for closing the other part of the berth or the curtain may -be made the full length of the berth.

The slats 2 are each relatively arrow-shaped, Figs. 5 and '7. Each slat has a pointed end I 2, inclined faces I3, and barbs I4. The barbs I4 are connected to the faces I3 by relatively straight sides I5. The barbs I4 are defined by the straight sides I5 and the inwardly inclined faces I6. 'Ihese barbs provide a groove or recess I'I at the bottom of each slat into which the pointed ends I2 of a lower slat extend a predetermined distance. The slats 2 may be made of any material desirable, but in the present instance, vthey are shown as being made of metal I8 having a wood core or ller I9. Metal compressed springs 2 are strung onthe cables 3, and are arranged between slats to keep the slats a predetermined distance apart. A lower slat has a recess 2i provided in its upper surface, and an upper slat has a recess 22 provided into its lower surface, into which the ends of the compressed springs 23 extend. Washers 2D' are positioned in the recesses as clearly shown in Figs. 5 and 6 to prevent the springs 20 from turning or pressing into the filler I9. The ller I9 is preferably made of soft wood and it has been found practical and advantageous to insert these washers onopposite ends of the springs. 'I'he washers are strung on the longitudinal vertically extending members 3. These springs are compressed, and are preventedfrom being extended due to the attachment of the cablesv to the bottom bar and the top bar. However, they are flexible laterally to permit the curtain to be coiled. By compressing the spring, the curtain is rendered flexible, the slats are properly spaced to permit ventilation between slats, but prevent the slats from being spread apart vertically. Therefore, it is impossible for anyone to pull the slats apart to see between the spaces. The slats are arranged close Aenough together to prevent anyone from seeing through the slats. In other words, the slats are positioned so that the line of vsight is obstructed. The bottom inclined surfaces I6 of each slat may be painted or col,- ored, preferably black, to prevent reflection of light through the spaces between the slats.

The outer ends of each slat 2 has the wood filler portion I9 thereof provided with a slit 23, Fig. 9, to render the ends of the slats somewhat flexible. The slittedv ends of the slats permit resiliency and the ends are free to ex, and

these ends may be slightly compressed when they are in the guides or grooves II as clearly shown in Fig. 9. The purpose of providing these slits 23 is to provide resilient flexible ends so that the ends may be slightly compressed to fill the guide and thereby prevent the slats from rattling in the guides. However, if the entire sides I5 of each slat were to come in contact with the inner surface of the groove in which the Slat slides, considerable friction would be created, and it would make the sliding of the curtain in the grooves relatively hard. Therefore, oppositely disposed protuberances 24 are struck from the metal at the ends of the slat, and only these protuberances engage the inside faces of the grooves or guides. The slit 23 as previously mentioned, tends to permit the slat to be compressed, but it is sufficiently flexible and yieldable so that the slat is free to slide in the groove. The protuberances make. it relatively easy to slide'the curtain upwardly and downwardly in the grooves.

In Fig. 11 there are shown diagrammatically two slats so spaced that the bottom edges 3I of an upper slat will overlie the pointed end 32 of a lower slat a sufficient distance so that the horizontal lines of vision indicated by the numerals 33 and 34 will be obstructed. Also it will be impossible .to look through the curtain at an angle through the space defined by the dotted diagonal lines 35 and 36, because the vision through this space will be obstructed by the inclined faces or surfaces 3T.

The curtain when assembled, is flexible to permit the curtain to be readily and easily moved up and down in the guides or grooves. Il. The curtain may be used for any purpose desired, such as for partitions for dividing rooms, as shutters for windows, window blinds, or for door openings. One of the principal purposes for the present curtain is for use in Pullman cars. The curtain or curtains, dependingA upon the number used, is arranged so as to dispense With the conventional fabric curtains now used in making up Pullman berths. These present fabric curtains are unsatisfactory because of drafts, provide no means for preventing pilfering and prevent proper air conditioning in the car. The use of the present rolling curtains, constructed in accordance with this invention, permits air to pass through the curtain, prevents drafts and allows for proper ventilation particularly in coordination with the present air conditioning systems now used. Furthermore, the curtain is substantially rigid, as it is supported by grooves II. In cases where the present curtain is used for Pulhnan berth purposes, the surfaces 31 may be coated with non-reflecting material 38. This non-reflecting material 38 may be flat black paint or any other suitable material to accomplish the purpose. In actual practice it has been found that light will not reflect when the surfaces 31 of the slats are coated, and it is impossible to see the image or. reflection of a person in the berth even though the person is between the curtain and a light. In other words, even at night when the lights on the wall are lit, the image or silhouette of a person in a berth cannot be seen. The invention, therefore, provides a highly desirable dividing medium or partition for Pullman car berths, whereby the berth occupant is assured full privacy, security and proper ventilation. At night the light in the berth will be sufficiently obstructed to prevent it from glaring, shining or reecting through the curtain.

for the roller which slides 1in the groove.

The bottom bar 4 may be provided with a locking member 40. This locking member has a locking bar 4l to which there is attached a draw bolt 42. This draw bolt passes through a roller 43 which is adapted to slide in a groove I l. The locking bar 4I is provided with a slot 44 which is adapted to be engaged by a key to insert or remove the draw bolt 42 from its keeper 45, the keeper comprising a slot extending through the guide. The loweredgenof the locking bar 4l is provided with notches 46, 4l, which are adapted to be engaged by a spring clip 48. When the spring clip 48 engages the notch 4l, the draw bolt will be engaged with its keeper. When the spring clip 48 engages with the notch 46, the draw bolt will be removed from locking position. When the draw bolt is in unlocked position, it will be recededY from its keeper, but it will, however, still be engaged with the roller '43. Therefore, the draw bolt acts as a bearing On the inner side of the bottom bar, there is a knob or button 49 for manipulating the draw bolt 42. Therefore, on the inside of the curtain the draw bolt can be removed to locked or vunlocked position by manipulating the button or knob 49. The draw bolt may be moved tolocked or unlocked position from the outside of the curtain by means of a key. A convenient hand hole 50 is provided on the inside of the curtain, provlding a recess into which the knob or button 49 is set. The movement of the locking plate isV limited by the detents 46 and 4l cooperating with the spring 48, and by the length of the slot through which the inside locking element extends.

The invention provides a very efficient curtain or blind for various purposes, andthe slats may be so positioned or spaced to allow for ventilation, but preventing vision through the slats.

Changes may be made in the form, construction, and arrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit of the invention or sacrificing any of theV advantages thereof, and the right is hereby reserved to make all such changes as fairly fall within the scope of the following claims.

My invention is hereby claimed as follows:

l. A curtain movable in guides and comprising a plurality of spaced slats, longitudinal members passing through the slats and upon which the slats are strung, each of said slats having a projecting upper edge and a grooved lower edge, the upper edge of one slat being adapted to extend up into the groove of an upper slat a distance suii'icient to permit air to pass through the curtain but obstructing the line of vision so that the curtain cannot be'seen through, and exible incompressible means on the longitudinal members between the slats to hold the slats in spaced relationship.

2. A curtain movable in guides and comprising a plurality of spaced slats, longitudinal members passing through the slats and upon which the slats are strung, each of said slats having a projecting upper edge and a grooved lower edge, the upper edge of one slat being adapted to extend up into the groove of an upper slat a distance suncient to permit air to pass through the curtain but obstructing the line of vision so that the curtain cannot be seen through, said slats being adapted to resiliently engage the guides at the sides thereof and prevent the curtain from rattling in the guides due to vibration.

3. A curtain movable in guides and comprising a plurality of spaced slats, Vlongitudinal members passing through the slats and upon which the slats are strung, each of said slats having a projecting-upper edge and a grooved lower edge,.the upper edge of one slat being adapted to extend up into the groove of an upper slat adistance suflicient to permit air to pass through the curtain but obstructing the line of vision so that the curtain cannot be seen through, said slats having their ends slotted vertically to ex the Yends of the slats and render the ends resilient, the resilient ends engaging vthe sides of the guides and preventing rattling of the curtain in the guides.

4. A curtain movable in guides and comprising a plurality of spaced slats, longitudinal members passing through the slats and upon which theslats Vare strung, each of said slats having a projecting upper edge and a grooved lower edge, the upper edge of one slat being adapted to eX- tend up into the groove of an upper slat a distance sufficient to permit air to pass through the curtain but obstructing the line of vision so that the curtain cannot be seen through, said slats having their ends slotted vertically to flex Ythe ends of the slats and render the ends resilient, the resilient ends engaging the sides of the guides and preventing rattling of the curtain in the guides, and outward projections on the said ends, whereby to reduce friction between the guides andslats.

5. A curtain movable in guides and comprising a plurality of spaced slats, longitudinal members passing through the slats and upon which the slats are strung, each of said slats having a projecting upper edge and a grooved lower edge, the upper edge of one slat being adapted to eX- tend up into the groove lof an upper slat a distance sufficient to permit air to pass through the curtain but obstructing the line of vision so that the curtain cannot be seen through, and compressed springs on the longitudinal members between the slats to space the slats a predetermined distance, said slats having recesses formed in their upper and lower ends to receive said compressed springs.

6. A rolling curtain comprising a plurality of slats, and supports upon which said slats are strung one above the other, and side guides inwhich said curtain operates, said slats hav-ing their ends slitted vertically whereby the ends of the slats tend to fieX and engage the guide on both sides and prevent rattling of the curtain in the guides.

7. A rolling curtain comprising a plurality of superposed slats, said slats having their ends slitted vertically whereby the slats will have springy ends and prevent rattling of the curtain in the curtain guides. l

8. A rolling curtain comprising a plurality of superposed metal slats, the metal at the ends of the slats being struck outwardly to provide protuberances which are adapted to engage the guides in which the curtain is guided.

9. A rolling curtain comprising a plurality of superposed metal slats, the metal at the ends of the slats being struck outwardly to provide protuberances which are adapted to engage the guides in which the curtain is guided, fillers inside of the slats about which fillers the metal is fitted.

l0. A rolling curtain comprising a plurality of superposed metal slats, the metal at the ends of the slats being struck outwardly to provide protuberances which areadapted to engage the guides in which the curtain is guided, fillers inside of the slats about which fillers the metal is tted, the ends of said fillers being provided with slits to yrender the said ends resilient.

11. A rolling curtain comprising a plurality of superposed slats, said slats being spaced apart, and flexible incompressible members between said slats to vhold the slats in spaced relationship.

l2. A rolling curtain comprising a plurality of superposed slats, said slats being spaced apart, and flexible compressed springs arranged between said slats to hol-d said slats in spaced relationship and preventing said slats from being manually spread to increase the space between slats.

13. A rolling curtain comprising a top bar and a bottom bar, flexible supporting members connecting the top and bottom bars, slats on said members between the top and bottom bars, and means between said slats to space said slats and prevent the slats from being spread apart.

14. A curtain comprising a plurality of spaced slats, longitudinal members passing through the slats and upon which the slats are strung, each of said slats having a projecting upper edge and a grooved lower edge, the upper edge of one slat being adapted to extend up into the groove of an upper slat a distance suicient to permit air to pass through the curtain but obstructing 'the line of vision so that the curtain cannot be seen through, said slats being formed of metal formed about fillers, the llers at each end being formed with a vertical cut to slightly expand the slats at the ends and to make said ends springy whereby they will prevent rattling of the curtain when the curtain is arranged in guides.

15. A curtain comprising a plurality of spaced slats, longitudinal members passing through the slats and upon which the slats are strung, each of said slats having a projecting upper edge and a grooved lower edge, the upper edge of one slat being adapted to extend up into the groove of an upper slat a .distance suicient to permit air to pass through the curtain but obstructing the line of vision so that the curtain Vcannot be seen through, said slats being formed of metal formed about llers, the fillers at each end being formed with a vertical cut to slightly compress the slats at the ends and to make said ends springy whereby they will prevent rattling of the curtain when the curtain is arranged in guides, and protuberances on the metal at the ends of said slats to reduce friction between the slats and guides.

1G. A curtain comprising a plurality of spaced slats, longitudinal members Vpassing through the slats and upon which the slats are strung, each of said slats having a projecting upper edge and a grooved lower edge, the upper edge of one slat being adapted to extend up into the groove of an upper slat a distance sunicient to permit air to pass through the curtain but obstructing the line of vision so that the curtain cannot be seen through, said slats being formed of metal formed about llers, the fillers at each end being formed with a vertical cut to slightly expand the slats at the ends and to make said ends springy whereby they will prevent rattling of the curtain when the curtain is arranged in guides, and protuberances -on the metal Vat the ends of said slats to reduce friction between .the slats and guides, and compressed springs between said slats to space the slats andv prevent the slats from being spread apart a distance greater than the said springs.

17. A Curt-ain lmovable in guides and comprising'a plurality of superposed slats, said slats being strung on'a flexible member, said slats being held in invariable spacedrelationship by flexible separating means, said exible separating means being longitudinally incompressible.

18. A curtain movable in guides and comprising a plurality of superposed slats, said slats being strung on a exible member, said slats being held in inv-ariable spaced relationship by flexible separating means, said exible separating .means being longitudinally incompressible, said slats being so shaped in complementary relationship to each otheras topermit the p-assage of air through the curtain while effectively obstructing line of vision from any angle therethrough.

19. A curtain movable in guides and comprising'a plurality of superposed slats, said slats being strung on a flexible member, said slats being held in'invariable spaced relationship by flexible separating means, said flexible separating means being longitudinally incompressible whereby said curtain becomes pilier-proof, it being impossible to pry said slats apart or increase the lwidth of the space between them, said slats being so shaped in complementary relationship to each other as to permit the passage of air through the curtain while effectively obstructing line of vision from any .angle therethrough.

20. A exible Ventilating curtain movable in guides comprising a plurality of superposed spaced slats iiexibly mounted upon flexible cables running through said sl-ats, said slats lbeing held in invariable spaced relationship, said slats being shaped in complementary relationship with veach other so as tov allow the passage of air while obstructing line of vision from any angle throughthe curtain, said Islats also being slitted at the ends to provide resilient engagement with the sides'of the guides preventing rattling of the curtain in the guides.

21. A rolling curtain for use in railway berths comprising a spring urged rotatably mounted shaft, flexible vertical members, a top bar, a bottom bar connected to said members, a plu rality of slats mounted on the flexible members between said top bar and bottom bar, said slats having their lower edges provided each with a recess and their upper edges provided each with a projection, the projection on the upper edge of a lower adjacent slat extending into the recess on the bottom of an .upper adjacent slat a predetermined distance so as to prevent vision between the slats but to permit air to pass through, spacing means between adjacent slats to hold the slats a predetermined distance apart in proper spaced relationship, means for tightening or loosing the flexible members to increase or decrease the spaces between slats and flexible 'means operatively connecting said top bar to said spring-urged shaft whereby the curtain may be shifted bodily to and from the shaft.

EDWARD B. NOTTINGHAM. 

